Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Hands-On: The Thinnest Flagship with a Lot to Offer

Samsung has just pulled back the curtain on one of the most intriguing smartphones of the year — the Galaxy S25 Edge. After the rest of the S25 lineup hit the shelves earlier this year, the Edge version arrives fashionably late. But for anyone who’s been dreaming of a super-thin Android flagship, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for.

And yes, it’s ridiculously thin — just 5.8 mm. But does thinness come at a cost? Let’s dive into the design, performance, and trade-offs of Samsung’s sleekest S25 model yet.

Designed for the Thin-Lovers

While most users want larger batteries and more camera hardware, there’s a niche market for people who crave minimalism — specifically, in Z-axis dimensions. The Galaxy S25 Edge is for those who don’t just want a smaller phone, but a thinner one.

Surprisingly, Samsung didn’t position this as a premium Ultra-tier device. Instead, it falls squarely between the S25 Plus and the S25 Ultra in the lineup. Think of it as an S25 Ultra Lite — retaining some Ultra features but sacrificing others to keep its profile razor-thin.

Design and Build

Despite its slim size, the S25 Edge still feels premium in hand. It’s crafted with titanium rails, just like the Ultra, and available in three stunning finishes — black, silver, and a unique bluish-silver tone. The overall design is modern and clean, with a camera layout that feels like it’s floating on the back — arguably the best-looking setup in the entire S25 lineup.

At just 163 grams, it’s lighter than most flagships and almost feels unreal when held. It’s the same weight as the smaller base S25, yet sports a 6.7-inch 1440p 120Hz AMOLED display — the same one found on the S25 Plus.

Powerful Hardware in a Slim Frame

Don’t let the thin design fool you — this phone packs flagship internals. You’re getting the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 “Elite” chipset, Samsung’s custom NPU, and all the software optimizations you’d expect from a premium device. It also comes with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage.

The camera setup is where Samsung made a few key choices. You still get the 200MP main sensor from the Ultra with its full processing suite and a 12MP ultrawide camera. However, due to space constraints, there’s no telephoto lens here.

The Battery Trade-Off

The S25 Edge is beautiful and powerful, but physics still applies. A thinner phone means less space for a battery, and here, that means a 3,900mAh cell with 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. That’s quite small by modern standards — especially when compared to the 4,900mAh battery in the S25 Plus, which shares the same screen size.

Battery life is likely to be the biggest compromise, especially for users who are used to going a full day on a single charge. While we’re waiting on full reviews and real-world tests, early impressions suggest this may be a sticking point.

Real-World Feel: Light, Sleek, and Surprisingly Nice

Holding the S25 Edge changes your perception. Video demos don’t quite convey how unbelievably light and thin this phone feels in the hand. If you ever get the chance, walk into a store and try it for yourself. It may win you over instantly.

Despite the razor-thin profile, Samsung made sure to include some essentials: a physical SIM card tray remains (which many other phones are dropping), and the buttons, though smaller, are still tactile and well-placed.

The front panel is Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, the same as the Ultra model, although it skips the Ultra’s anti-reflective coating.

Is the S25 Edge Worth It?

This phone isn’t for everyone — and Samsung knows it. Most people prefer thicker phones with bigger batteries. But for those who want a light, thin device without compromising on performance or screen size, the S25 Edge is a targeted solution.

It starts at $1,099, which places it in the sweet spot between the Plus and Ultra models. That might seem high considering the smaller battery and lack of a telephoto lens, but for the right user, it’s a perfect fit.

A Glimpse into the Future?

Interestingly, rumors are swirling about an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air coming later this year. If that turns out to be true, Samsung can proudly say they did it first — and that’s not nothing.

Plus, unlike the rumored iPhone, Samsung has kept things like the ultrawide camera, SIM tray, and top-tier chipset, while maintaining wireless charging and a high-end display.

Final Thoughts

If you’re among the rare crowd that’s been waiting for a flagship phone that’s both ultra-thin and ultra-light, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge may be your dream device. It makes a few sacrifices — yes — but its design, display, and performance make it more than just a gimmick.

For most people, the battery life might be a deal-breaker. But for those who value feel, form, and finesse, this phone hits a sweet spot that very few flagships ever attempt to reach.